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2009 Seeds of Hope

Our 2009 Seeds of Hope honorees are paving the way.

Posted August 11, 2009

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We’ve always considered it a privilege to live in a state where volunteerism and good works are the norm rather than the exception. Six years ago, we created the Garden State Seeds of Hope Awards to honor the achievements of some of our state’s most dedicated volunteers.

We do so with the help of a distinguished panel of judges, which this year consisted of Elizabeth G. Christopherson of the Rita Allen Foundation, Princeton; Becky Dembo of the Partnership in Philanthropy, Chatham;  Marion C. O’Neill of PSEG, Newark; and Liz Thomas of Thomas/Boyd Communications, Moorestown. The judges selected six winners—profiled on these pages—from a pool of 66 exceptional nominees. We will honor the winners at a luncheon September 22 in Livingston at Crystal Plaza, a co-sponsor of the awards along with PNC Wealth Management and Reno's Appliance.

Click on the names below to learn more about these remarkable people and their accomplishments. Get ready to be inspired.

Leonard Lieberman
Hoboken
Founding trustee, treasurer, and current chair, operations and finance committee, NJPAC.

AND

Arlene Lieberman
Hoboken
Board chair and former president, the Newark Museum

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Bob Benjamin
Highland Park
Founder and president, the Light of Day Foundation


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Ernie Cottrill
Warren
Director, the Giving Garden, Wagner Farm Arboretum

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Laura McKirdy
Mendham
Co-Founder, the Lake Drive Program

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Kathryn Tanaka
Bridgewater
Women Build Coordinator, Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity

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For more stories about: Benjamin, Bob, Lieberman, Arlene, Tanaka, Kathryn, Cottrill, Ernie, Lieberman, Leonard, Seeds of Hope, McKirdy, Laura

Comments
Honoring Kathy Tanaka

Kathy is an exceptional women. I have worked with Kathy on site on volunteer days and Women Build. She is a great leader and her past teaching skills gives her the opportunity to teach others at the build site.
You Go Girl!

Posted by: Barbara Earl, South Plainfield | Aug 21, 2009 20:28:40 PM |

Ernie Cottrill, Seeds Award Winner

It is a real pleasure working with Ernie on the WFAF Fundraising Committee over the last several years. He is very dedicated and sensitive to the needs of those in and outside of Warren Township as we have those in need who do live in our town.

It was a privilege to be one of those elected officials who helped to save the 90 acre farm when a developer wanted to put in 240 housing units and it was a fight to save it. The present township committee members, including myself as Mayor, along with Deputy Mayor Vic Sordillo, Committeemen Gary DiNardo, Mal Plager and Frank Salvato all have their names on the sign on the farm; and were the purchasers. It was thanks to the vision of people on the WFAF, led by Suzanne Smith along with the many volunteers, such as Ernie who made a dream come true.

Posted by: Mayor Carolann Garafola, Warren, NJ | Aug 24, 2009 13:26:34 PM |

Giving Garden

I would like to take this moment to acknowledge all the people who have volunteered their time to this program. I would especially like to say how very proud I am of my father-in-law Ernest Cottrill. He is a very generous and giving man and cares about others in many sharing ways.

Posted by: Linda Cottrill, Prescott Valley | Aug 28, 2009 19:17:35 PM |

Laura McKirdy

Our late friend & colleague, Duke (Adrian) Smith would talk about Laura with such passion, such admiration and indeed, with such love, I knew immediately upon meeting her nearly 10 years ago, her dedication to helping children with hearing loss would be a true inspiration. It has been my honor and pleasure serving side by side with Laura as a trustee with the Lake Drive Foundation. While we work together as equals, Laura will always be, for me, far and away the board member who’s opinion and insight I most consider as we move ahead fulfilling our mission to help babies. This is what she set out to do and I’m thrilled to be a part of her journey.
What a lovely, elegant, driven woman ... who wouldn’t be inspired by her!
Kudos and much love Laura. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your story.

Posted by: Mizar Turdiu, Mountain Lakes | Sep 14, 2009 16:09:41 PM |